Page 4 of Cheyenne

Micah

Excitement buzzed throughout the Stone Family Inn. Everyone was getting ready to travel to Washington, DC, and surprise Brooks for his birthday. Strike that—almost everyone. While the others were getting their packing done, Micah sat on the couch and played with little Ajay, who had just turned two. Six-year-old Trey Junior was going back and forth between playing with them and running in circles.

Micah’s mother had married Trey Stone seven years ago after getting divorced from Micah’s father. It had been quite a process of combining the families, but in the end, his mother had had these two cute kids with Trey. They were so much younger than Micah, and he loved them. They were the little siblings he’d never known he wanted.

After high school, he had done one year in college and then decided to join the Navy. His mother had mixed feelings about him wanting to do this. Of course, he wanted to be a SEAL just like Trey and some of his uncles. Now that he’d gone through two years in the Navy, he was getting ready to do BUD/S training to see if he could qualify to be a SEAL.

Trey walked into the family room and set down the bags he was carrying. Then he noticed Micah playing with the kids. “Are you sure you’re okay to stay back and watch this place? I hate that you’re not coming with us.”

Just then, Marshall walked in, bellowing that everyone had better be ready. His wife, Kat, followed close behind him, with their kids trailing behind her.

Marshall’s son Kade ran over and hugged Micah. “Come with us.”

Micah hugged him and grinned up at Trey. “I’m okay with not going. Plus, I want you all to be there for Brooks and I know that wouldn’t happen if I didn’t stay.”

As if to prove his point, Trent and Liberty walked in with their kids. Two of them ran over and threw themselves on Micah. “Micah!” they screamed.

Trent frowned. “I think I should hang back,” he said to Trey.

Hunter and Cheryse walked in, Hunter holding their baby, Hunter Jr. “I think I should stay back.”

Micah cocked an eyebrow.

Trey grunted. “No, Micah volunteered.”

Micah loved all his cousins and all the babies being born to his new uncles. He also looked forward to the quiet of the house for the next couple days. “I’ll be just fine here by myself.”

Trey wrapped an arm around him, then took baby Ajay into his arms and tossed her in the air. She squealed with laughter.

Hunter nodded. “Of course you will, but call if you need anything.” The baby wiggled in an attempt to get down. “Let’s go, people.”

Trent wrapped his arm around Liberty and affectionately patted her baby bump. “Yes, let’s go before my wife has to eat again.”

Liberty laughed and swatted his arm. “You have to feed me whenever I want.”

Trent smiled and kissed her.

Micah watched them fondly. He loved how close the family was.

Ava rushed into the room, looking flustered. “Okay, I’m ready.” She turned her gaze to Micah. “Just come with us. We don’t need to leave anyone here to watch this place.”

The whole group went silent. Micah knew that wasn’t the truth. There was still the whole gold threat hanging over the family. They’d had too many experiences where gold seekers would try to break into the inn or get on the property.

Micah shook his head. “Are you kidding me? I don’t want to go with you rowdies. I am trying to keep my mental focus and train for BUD/S training.”

The men laughed. They understood.

His mom frowned and moved toward him, tears welling in her eyes as she wrapped her arms around him in a big hug. “I love you. I love you. I love you. We’ll only be gone for five days. And then you’ll be here another week, right?”

Micah always choked up when his mother held him tightly and whispered those words. She’d always say it three times. “I’ll be here another week after that, Mom. So you can smother me with motherly love to your heart’s delight.”

She laughed and pulled back, a tear sliding down her cheek. “And I will.”

His little brother and sister clung to his legs. “I love you, Micah,” Trey Junior said.

“Love,” Ajay said.

He kneeled and pulled them into his arms, finding himself getting emotional. “You’d better be good for Mom and Dad. Or else when you get back, I’ll have to put you in a snake anaconda hug.” He squished them together, picked them up, and made a hissing noise.

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